Stilt



July 21, 1931. M. w. BlEWBAKER 5 STILT Filed Sept. 19, 1927 Patented July 21, 1931 UNITED SATES MILO W. BREWBAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS STILT Application filed September 19, 1927.

This invention relates to stilts.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved form of stilt in which the step or foot support is connected with the pole in such a manner as to permit its ready longitudinal adjustment thereon and its positive securement in various positions of adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stilt which combines simplicity of construction with high efficiency and durability 7 together with cheapness of production.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel spring actuated clamping and supporting means which consists of a single spring for supporting the step in various positions of adjustment and at the same time is utilized for locking the step to the pole in such a manner that the step is quite rigidly secured against movement with respect to the pole.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing construction and arrangement of the various parts in the manner herein 2 after described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims;

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing my improved stilt constructions.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of my improved stilt, showing the manner in which the step is adjustably fastened to the pole.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the stilt shown in Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the lines H in Figure 2.

In carrying out my invention 1 have illustrated one form of my improved stilt as comprising a pole 10 which is preferably made of wood and square in cross section. Formed on the rear side of the pole 10 at suitable spaced intervals, are a plurality of semi-circular transverse grooves 11. Adjustably mounted on the front side of the pole 10 is a substantially triangula-rly shaped step 12. The upper surface of the triangularly shaped step is provided with an upwardly curved portion as shown at 13 which is located on Serial No. 220,312.

the outer end thereof for properly supporting the instep of the foot.

One of the essential features of my improved stilt consists of the provision of a single member which sustains the whole weight on the step 12, and at the same time, clamps the step to the pole. This member comprises a spring wire generally referred to by the reference character 14-. The sup porting portion of the spring wire 1 is provided with a substantially inverted U shaped portion 15 which comprises a transverse portion 16 adapted to engage the groove 11 on the rear side of the poles 10, and two diagonally extending portions 17. The lower ends of the diagonally extending portions 17 of the spring member 15 are provided with oppositely disposed coils 18 through which extends a rivet 19. .The rivet 19 extends through a suitable aperture located substantially in the center. of the step 12. The lower ends of the spring supporting member 15 extend diagonally downward as shown at 19 thence substantially horizontally in a direction to the rear of the pole where the free ends thereof are bent at right angles as shown at 21 and 22 so as to embrace the rear of the pole and extend around to the opposite side as shown at 23. The U shaped portion 15 of the spring support 14 has an initial tension tending to swing the U shaped portion away from its free ends 20 by reason of the coils 18 which embrace the rivet 19. This action of the spring tends to clamp the step 12 to the pole in such a manner that the step is rigidly fastened under spring tension to the pole so that the same cannot be easily jarred or displaced from its position after it has once been set. In order to adjust the step to various heights on the pole, the free ends 23 of the spring 1 1 are gripped by the hand and drawn in a direction toward the U shaped portion 15 of the spring thereby releasing the tension or clamping action of the spring disengaging the transverse portion 16 of the spring from the groove 11 of the pole. After this has been done the step may then be readily adjusted to various positions on the pole for raising or lowering the height of the step.

It will readily be seen by the above description that by utilizing the spring to not only sustain the weight on the step but also utilizing it to clamp the step to the pole that l have provided a simple construction which is highly eflicient and durable but has also reduced the cost of oroduction to a minimum.

In connection with my improved form of stilt, I have also provided a foot guard in the form oi substantially the shape of the letter 3 as shown at 24 which is secured to the outside of the step by means of screws 25. The upper or free end of the guard is bent or curved inwardly toward the front side of the pole 10 as shown at 26. I have described my invention as being adaptable for the use of stilts. It will, of course, be understood that the spring support and clamp construction may be utilized for many purposes, such for instance, as supporting shelves where it is desirable to adjust the shelves to various heights.

While in the above specification I have disclosed one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will, of course, be understood that the same is capable of modification and that modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention expressed in the following claims.

lVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A stilt comprising a pole having a plurality of transverse grooves on one side thereot. a step adjustably mounted on the other side thereof, and a single resilient member pivoted to said step having a portion engageable with a groove in said pole and another portion embracing said pole for supporting and clamping said step to said pole.

2. A stilt comprisin pole, a plurality of semicircular, transverse, spaced apart grooves located on one side ot said pole, an adjustable step mounted on the other side of said pole, av combination suu iorting and clamping member pivotally mounted on said step comprising a single wire having a U shaped portion embracing saie pole and engaging the groove in said pole, said supporting and clamping member having a clamping portion embracing said pole and coiled portions termed integrally with said wire exerting tension for clamping said step to said pole.

3. A stilt comprising a pole having a pluality of spaced apart transverse grooves mounted on one side thereof, an adjustable step mounted on the other side thereof, a spring supporting and clamping member pivoted to said step and having a. portion thereof engaging the groove on said pole, a clamping supporting portion formed integrally with said spring and located below said first named portion and oppositely disposed coils formed intermediate the step supporting portion and the clamping portion of said spring for exerting tension on said spring for resiliently clamping said step to said pole.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 29th dav of ngust A. D. 1927. I

hHLO V. BREVBAKER. 

